Headaches

Symptom: headaches and migraines are common during menopause and may be the result of changing body temperature, tiredness due to hot flushes, sleeplessness or general stress and anxiety.

Migraine headaches can be affected by oestrogen levels and can get better or worse during menopause. Every woman is different, so menopause can affect your migraines in a number of ways. Menopause may make headaches and migraines less severe if they were linked to the hormonal fluctuations of your menstrual cycle. Or migraines may start for the first time, or worsen, around perimenopause because of new hormonal fluctuations. Hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms may also be linked to migraines at this time.

Learning to meet your nutritional needs and balance your hormones can help to control headaches completely.

Keeley's Story

Keeley, a senior police officer with a demanding job, had regular and debilitating headaches when I met her.Keeley, a senior police officer with a demanding job, had regular and debilitating headaches when I met her.

"I met Maryon at a conference earlier this year when I was talking about Menopause Policies in the Workplace. I have suffered with excruciatingly bad headaches on a regular basis since hitting menopause. In the past, doctors have recommended HRT, which I have found helped for a few months and then the headaches would return. It was a vicious cycle with little hope for change.

Maryon told me she could help me without continuing taking HRT and she was right. Amongst other changes to my diet and lifestyle, I had to make some drastic changes to my tea consumption which was more than 10 cups per day! Four months later I am feeling so much better - despite an incredibly demanding job - I have stuck to the programme and I'm like a new person. It's a miracle - I can't remember feeling this good in a long time." states Keeley.